The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asked members of Parliament and provincial assemblies on Monday to submit the annual statements of their assets and liabilities by September 30.
In an official notification, the commission said that in accordance with the law every sitting member of the National Assembly, Senate and provincial assemblies has to submit statements of assets of not only themselves, but also of their spouses and dependents.
Since there is no mechanism available to the ECP to verify these statements, the practice has so far remained a cosmetic exercise in accountability. However, if implemented properly, the procedure can deter widespread corruption.
The law states that “where a member submits the statement of assets and liabilities under sub-section (1) which is found to be false in material particulars, he may be proceeded against under Section 82 for committing the offence of corrupt practice”.
If followed in its true spirit, any member found guilty of corruption may be disqualified from their office.
The statements of assets and liabilities have to be published and any citizen can obtain a copy after paying a prescribed fee.
The law also states that the ECP should, by October 15, provide names of members who fail to file statements of assets and liabilities within the period specified. They should also direct that such members cease to function in their respective posts until a statement is submitted.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1715142871-0/imfsalary-(1)1715142871-0-270x192.webp)
Declaration of assets should be mandatory for every citizen of Pakistan for tax purposes, specially the filthy rich politicians and their ill-begotten gains should be regulated. I can't believe people are actually opposing this. Like the author says if this is followed in letter and spirit and cheaters are disqualified from office, it would be a good step....although I am not sure any of them would remain......
Well these elected representative never declare their actual asset. I think Imran Khan will declare their asset because He don't have any thing much to hide like factories, cars, mills but other politician owns factories, mills and other things ! Because they believe in Wadeera System. Well We people pays their taxes on time but Our Sharafya leaders didn't.
NRO Leaders, MPA, MNA. Minister damn
I have been watching this game of "catching the culprits" for the past sixty years. I will watch it for another ten or so more years of my remaining life. Yes, this act of the ECP would definitely be a great "threat to democracy" in the country. All I have learnt over the years is that the bigger the position, the bigger is the theft. The powerful have kept themselves away from the grip of the law. The people of the country should now learn to live with the facts on the ground and accept this as part of our culture. I appreciate Imran Khan's vociferous stand against corruption. But then, prior to elections, all party leaders have used this slogan of "corruption" effectively to fool the public. After the elections, all of them begin to take their slice of the cake. I do not think Imran Khan with all his zeal, promises,and desires, will be able to contain this menace. It is just too uphill a task for any leader to remove overnight a totally corrupt system that has now seeped into our blood over the sixty plus years.
These details of assets should be cross checked by FBR and made public.Any one having any information about additional assets should file a complaint and his name should be kept confidential
There is no democracy in pakistan only Rule of the elite class- backed by .....
Waiting for somone to jump out of the corner and shout 'threat to democracy' and then article after article on how declaring assets could derail the democratic process.
The same argument has been used for god knows how many times before by PPP apologists and their fanboys.
What is the use of this whole exercise when EC has to put these in the cabinet?
What about rental, will he show all his rented out assets?
Asking for asset declaration is a clear 'threat to democracy'. We should avoid institutional clash and ECP should stay within its consitutional limits. How dare it question the 'elected representatives' of the people. In fact, Asma Jehangir should take up a case to defend the 'supermacy of the parliament' because of the 'grave' threat posed to it by the ECP
Fairy tales have been more believable than statements coming out of our 'elected parliament'
than what will you do.....file them???